Causes of ED

Causes of ED

Erectile disorder (ED) is a common problem and the potential causes of ED are many and varied. In this blog we look at the biological and physiological risk factors and causes, if you are looking for ‘Everything you need to know about ED’ click here .

Psychological Vs. Biological causes of ED

For most men the reality will be a bit of both. However, there is an easy way to tell which one is the main cause of ED. If morning erections or erections for masturbation happen, then it’s mostly psychological. If no erections occur, or they are always soft then it is probably biological.

Psychological – The most common psychological factor in my experience is anxiety. Anxiety works in direct opposition to erection. Any fear response will minimise all unnecessary functions to move blood to the heart, legs and arms. This is so you can fight or flee, but it’s not great for sex. Why men experience anxiety varies. Some men get anxious because they have had ED before. Some men get anxious because they are worrying about what their partner is thinking. These are two of the most common, but there are dozens. Below is a list of potential psychological causes of ED.

Biological factors – a number of medications, medical interventions and medical condition are associated with ED. Of course associated does not mean that you will get ED if you have any of these conditions. However, when consulting your doctor about ED it is a good idea to mention these.

The risk of Ed rises dramatically with age (Braun 2000). One study found a 9% risk factor of occasional to severe ED in men aged 40-44. This rises steadily with age to 54% for men 65-70 (Nicolosi et al 2003). However, if this is an inevitable part of the aging process or a representation of the build-up of other factors which tend to accompany aging (reduction in activity, Cholesterol build up, increased body mass, underlying medical issues etc) is currently unclear.